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Glass Category
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Frog at the End of the Rainbow
Artist: Karen Zaferakis (Liverpool, NY)
Honorable Mention, Glass
"I am a lampwork artist and love Swarovski® crystal. I handmade each rainbow bead using a torch and melting rods of glass. This is a lengthy process. The design in my mind included utilizing as many of the various colors that are available in Swarovski crystal. I put crystals on each head pin and wrapped each 'dangle' around a soldered jump ring. These dangling crystal clusters were strung between my lampwork beads to create a rainbow effect. My goal was to have a smooth transition from each color in the spectrum with the brilliance that Swarovski is known for. The beads are strung on tigertail and all the findings are sterling silver. From the design stage to the final touch, this piece took about 5-6 work hours, but a total of 30+ hours due to kiln time for the glass beads. I am a relatively new lampwork artist and am quite pleased with this piece. Its brilliance is stunning in person. The Swarovski crystal is beautiful and brings out the colors of the Murano glass nicely. I am very proud of the frog dangle. It is one of my first sculpture beads, so I consider him the 'pot of gold' at the end of my rainbow. I developed my appreciation of jewelry and making it from my mother. She has been a creative jewelry maker for years. We have gone to school together at Corning Glass Works and at the William Holland School of Lapidary Arts. By no means are we 'professional' jewelers, but we do consider ourselves professionals at having fun together. She has often inspired my jewelry pieces and has always been my biggest supporter. She is the one who encouraged me to enter this contest. Thanks Mom!" - Karen Zaferakis
Review the 2008 contest details to see what this contestant was up against. And remember, it’s never too early to start planning for the 2009 contest!
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